Cryopreservation vs. Lyophilization — What's the Difference?

Preservation of cells, tissues, or any biological constructs by cooling to low temperatures.

A dehydration process that freezes the product, then reduces pressure to allow frozen water to vaporize.

Involves the use of liquid nitrogen or mechanical freezers.

Enhances the shelf life and ease of transport of products.

Requires careful control of cooling rates.

Does not generally require cryoprotectants.

Typically involves storage at -196°C.

Common in the preparation of lab samples and drugs.

Protects biological materials from degradation over time.

Results in a dry powder form of the original material.

Cryo-preservation or cryo-conservation is a process where organelles, cells, tissues, extracellular matrix, organs, or any other biological constructs susceptible to damage caused by unregulated chemical kinetics are preserved by cooling to very low temperatures (typically −80 °C using solid carbon dioxide or −196 °C using liquid nitrogen). At low enough temperatures, any enzymatic or chemical activity which might cause damage to the biological material in question is effectively stopped.

To freeze-dry (blood plasma or other biological substances).

To preserve (cells or tissue, for example) by freezing at very low temperatures.

Freeze-drying; the removal of moisture from a frozen material using vacuum

The preservation of biological tissue at cryogenic temperatures, typically at -80°C (dry ice temperature) or -196°C (the boiling point of liquid nitrogen).

A method of drying food or blood plasma or pharmaceuticals or tissue without destroying their physical structure; material is frozen and then warmed in a vacuum so that the ice sublimes

Mainly for increasing the stability and shelf life of pharmaceuticals and food products by removing moisture.

Yes, once thawed, the biological activity in cryopreserved materials can often be restored.

To maintain the viability of biological materials by halting all biological and chemical processes at extremely low temperatures.

Cells, tissues, organs, and any biological constructs that require preservation in their functional state.

It significantly reduces the weight by removing water content, making the product lighter and easier to transport.

Cryopreservation uses equipment designed to reach and maintain extremely low temperatures, while lyophilization uses equipment that combines cold and vacuum to remove moisture.

If done correctly, it preserves cell viability by preventing ice crystal formation and other damaging effects of freezing.

It's the process where ice changes directly to vapor without becoming liquid, a key mechanism in lyophilization.

Most biological materials can be cryopreserved, but the success rate can vary depending on the type of material and the freezing protocol used.

Depending on the material, lyophilized products can be stored for several years without significant degradation.

Cryopreservation requires storage at temperatures as low as -196°C, while lyophilized products can be stored at room temperature.

No, because lyophilization removes water by sublimation, which minimizes the risk of ice crystal formation and thus does not typically require protectants.

While it's highly beneficial for many types, some drugs may lose efficacy or require special formulations to be suitable for lyophilization.

Requires specific equipment and materials like cryoprotectants, and there's always a risk of damage due to ice crystal formation if not handled correctly.

It helps in preserving the chemical and physical stability of drugs, allowing for easier storage and transportation.